Don't Just Get a Massage, This is the First Aid when a Child is Allegedly Broken Bone

Orthopedic Specialist of the Children's Division of Eka Hospital Cibubur, dr. Gabriel Klemens Wienanda, M.Ked(Surg), Sp.OT, AIFO-K. (Dinno/VOI)

JAKARTA - Children are known to be active, ranging from running, jumping, to playing in parks or fields. Behind these activities, the risk of falling and injury cannot be avoided.

One of the injuries that parents need to be aware of is fractures, because late or incorrect treatment can affect the healing process and the growth of the child's bones.

Specialist in Orthopedics, Children's Division, Eka Hospital Cibubur, dr. Gabriel Klemens Wienanda, M.Ked(Surg), Sp.OT, AIFO-K, said parents need to recognize the signs leading to fractures so that children can immediately receive medical treatment.

According to him, complaints of pain are one of the most common signs that appear. However, in infants or toddlers who cannot express pain, parents need to be more observant in observing changes in their child's behavior.

"If he is in pain. If a child or baby, the way to know is usually crying and not wanting to move the body parts as usual," explained Dr. Gabriel during a media meeting in Jakarta, recently.

In addition to pain, broken bones can also be accompanied by swelling in the injured area. In some cases, the skin can appear bluish due to bleeding under the tissue, although this condition does not always occur.

Children can also complain of numbness, especially if the injury also affects the nerves around the broken bone.

Avoid massaging or moving the injured part.

When they suspect that their child has a broken bone, many parents panic and try to straighten the position of the body part that seems to have changed or even take it to a massage place. In fact, this action can actually aggravate the injury.

Doctor Gabriel reminded that the body parts suspected of having broken bones should not be moved or manipulated.

"Don't move the limbs, don't manipulate, massage, and so on," he said.

He explained that the fracture has a sharp tip so that it has the potential to injure blood vessels and surrounding tissues if forced to move.

"The risk is massaged, sharp bone fractures can hit the blood vessels around the bone," he said.

Therefore, the best step is to keep the injured body part in the most comfortable position while immediately bringing the child to a health facility.

Cold compress in the first 48 hours

Before getting medical treatment, parents can give a cold compress to help reduce complaints.

According to dr. Gabriel, ice compresses should be done in the first 48 hours after injury.

The compression is done by wrapping ice in a clean cloth, then sticking it to the swollen area for about 15-20 minutes. Ice is not recommended to come into direct contact with the skin because it can cause irritation.

However, cold compresses are not the main treatment. After first aid is given, the child still needs to be taken to the hospital immediately to undergo examination and receive treatment according to the condition of the broken bone.

Don't delay treatment.

In addition to proper first aid, the time of treatment is also an important factor in the success of healing fractures in children.

Dr. Gabriel explained that ideally treatment is carried out in the first seven days after injury, especially if it is still possible to carry out more minimally invasive actions.

"In children, minimally invasive procedures should be performed within the first seven days. After seven days, the bones usually start to connect," he explained.

If the bones are fused in an inappropriate position, the repair process becomes much more complex.

"If it has passed seven days and the position is wrong, the bone needs to be broken again and then reconnected through the right medical method," he said.

Even though in some cases the bones can still unite, the wrong position can affect the function of the limbs later.

"Thank God, it continues in the right position. Otherwise, the child can still be active, but the function will not be perfect," said dr. Gabriel.

He reminded parents not to take injuries after a child falls lightly, especially if accompanied by severe pain, swelling, or the child is reluctant to move certain parts of the body.

As parents, of course, the hope is not only that the injury will heal immediately, but also to ensure that the child's growth process continues optimally without interfering with future motor function.